Train from Paddington

[Gazelle1]

Hi,

 

I’m booked on the 8:33am train on Wednesday from Paddington. I have a seat reserved…am I likely to be able to get it? Has anyone got the train at this time and can tell me how busy it is?

 

The train gets into Castle Cary at about 10:10am – any ideas of how busy it’s likely to be there waiting for a coach?

 

Thanks!

[Dukeicon]

If you have a seat reserved then it is your seat. If someone is sat in it then you can ask them to move (as long as seat reservations are put out).

 

If they are put out & someone is sat in your reserved seat and you have to stand and can't sit anywhere else then you are entitled to a partial refund.

[JamesBrew]

Get there early as it may be a case you can't actually get to your reserved seat due to amount of bodies/luggage in the aisles!

 

Shuttle buses are frequent but expect to queue for 20-30 mins. No coach departs however with empty seats so it does move quickly. 

 

Then once on, sit back and enjoy the ride. You're nearly there!!

[Pbird81]

When I went on Friday last year they had put on special trains, which only stopped at Castle Cary (and possibly Reading - not sure anyone got on there). They just got everyone to put their luggage into the first carriage and then grab a seat - it was fairly packed. I think I'd booked for a specific train, but not a specific seat. If you've been able to do that it might be different... or a 'normal' train.

 

Would imagine Wed is busier than Friday though...

[paulo999]

The 08:33 is a festival special.

When I did the train a few years back, the way they ran the specials was to put everyone in a holding pen, then issue special tickets for exactly the number of seats on the train. Those people would then board the special, and the next batch behind would go on the next special. Seat reservations didn't apply.

We got there about 45 mins before the special and were fine for getting seats.

Maybe someone who was on a special last year can confirm if they still run that process.

[Gazelle1]

Thanks all - so basically first come first served then. Do you think getting there half an before it leaves will be ok? 

[JamesBrew]

Some more info here: https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/about-us/media-centre/2015/june/advice-to-glastonbury-festival-travellers 

[paulo999]

Sounds like they are using the holding pen system.

[Pbird81]

The 08:33 is a festival special.

When I did the train a few years back, the way they ran the specials was to put everyone in a holding pen, then issue special tickets for exactly the number of seats on the train. Those people would then board the special, and the next batch behind would go on the next special. Seat reservations didn't apply.

We got there about 45 mins before the special and were fine for getting seats.

Maybe someone who was on a special last year can confirm if they still run that process.

 

Had the holding pen at Paddington on the Friday last year - but no special tickets - but maybe Wed was different.

 

I was booked on that specific train, but there were no seat reservations.

[johnmcga]

I caught a train from Paddington at about 2pm last year. We just missed the previous train, so had a bit of a wait.

 

There was a small queue in the holding area but the staff told us we'd probably be fine getting on (based on queues earlier in the day), so we had a pint, bought some beer for the journey, then joined the queue about 15 minutes before the train was due to leave.

 

I'm not generally a fan of First Great Western, but I get the train every year and they do an excellent job over the Glastonbury weekend.

 

Their staff will generally be happy to give out information if you ask, so it's worth having a word with them if you're not sure what the score is.

 

Edit to add: 2pm on the Wednesday.

Edited June 16, 2015 by johnmcga